The inside of the house was...normal. I hadn’t expected it because most houses that required cleaning weren’t neat. Polished wood floors gleamed beneath the dim lighting, and the furniture, though sparse, was elegant in a way that matched the exterior.
The living room was spacious but almost empty. The fireplace on one side sat cold, no fire or warmth coming from it. A hallway stretched out on the left side of the living room. The low light from where I stood barely reached the narrow space, making it seem even more shadowy.
The longer I waited, however, the more that cold knot of dread began to settle back in. The shadows clung to the corners, refusing to shift, and despite the well put together sitting area, the place felt wrong. Like I wasn’t supposed to be there. Like something—someone—was watching me.
My phone buzzed..
Vin:Tell me you’re still alive.
Me:Don’t be dramatic. I’m inside though.
“Hello?” I called, my voice wavering as I tucked my phone back.
No response. I re-clenched the knife. My heart pounded harder.
“Hello? Is anyone home?” I called out again, my voice sounding thin in the oppressive silence.
Still nothing. I looked towards the hallway and moved towards its direction. But something wasn’t right. The air felt thick, and my skin prickled with the sensation of being watched.Was this a mistake? What if this guy was really a serial killer? What if he was waiting to—
“The first door on your left. Start with the study.”
The voice cut through the quiet, low and calm, but chilling. I flinched, my breath catching in my throat. I glanced towards the hallway, but there was no movement. No footsteps. Just his voice.
I swallowed, my fingers trembling around the handle of my knife. “Okay,” I called back, throat tight as I made my way towards the door.
I got there and found the study door unlocked. Inside, everything was arranged. Too arranged. There wasn’t a thing out of place, just dust, as if the room hadn’t been touched in ages.
When I got in, I turned to lock the door, but the lock was broken. Was this a joke?Gosh, I’m so dead.
I clasped and unclasped my grip around the knife, assuring myself that I was safe.
“Okay, this shouldn’t take long.” I breathed out as I tugged the sleeves of my hoodie up and reached for the cleaning items he’d put there for me.
While cleaning, I constantly checked the door, not for once backing the entrance. This couldn’t be. He didn’t call me to clean just his study for two hundred. It wasn’t even that dirty—had to be the cleanest space I’d seen since I got to this town.
I texted Vincent every ten minutes to keep his mind down, and after thirty minutes of cleaning the table, floor, shelves, computers, dusting the books and disposing dead plants, I stepped back with a sneeze.
I sneezed again as I went out and closed the door, turning back to the living room. Fucking dust. I sneezed again and again, until I had to place my hand over my mouth because I thought the sound might disturb the owner who seemed to love quietness.
I texted Vincent that I was done, and might be stepping out soon if he didn’t have other places to clean. And judging by his living room, I didn’t think he did.
“Hello...I’m done. Is there anywhere else you want me to clean?” I called out. “If not, I think I gotta get going.”
No sound. Okay, this was beginning to piss me off. “You can throw the money out. You don’t have to show your face if—”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps sounded from the dark hallway, and I breathed in, fisting my knife tight. I moved a bit back to the door in case I had to run. His slow, deliberate footsteps grew closer with every passing second. My heart slammed against my ribs. I tightened my grip on the knives, ready to defend myself.
“Hello, Ainsley.”
My stomach folded in on itself, his voice creeping me out. “Hi. Uhm...I have to—”
“Have to what? Go?” The mockery was obvious, almost as if he wanted to laugh.
Fuck if I didn’t know this would happen. I reached for my phone. Then it hit me. This place was definitely clean because he killed his victims here and often scrubbed it to get rid of evidence. Also, on my way here, I noticed his house was a bit far from the rest. Not really far, but far enough for me to start panicking.
“I’m a bit disappointed, I have to say.” One step closer. His face wasn’t still visible.
